Location
Description
The City of San Carlos is recruiting for a Building Inspector I/II position. The position will be filled at the I or II level. Appointment will be made at the appropriate level depending upon qualifications.
Building Inspector I
This is the entry level position in the Building Inspector series. Under direction from the Building Official or designated appointee, the Building Inspector I inspects buildings being constructed, altered, or repaired; Determines conformance with approved plans, adopted codes, zoning laws, statutes and ordinances; Plan checks residential and less complicated commercial projects; Responds to questions from the public at the counter and through other forms of communication; Investigates complaints and prepares notices and reports; Receives applications and issues permits as directed; Maintains and improves computer permitting and record maintenance, and performs other work as required.
The Building Inspector I level is distinguished from the Building Inspector II level due to the level of experience in the field of building inspection and the level of job knowledge. This is a generalist class wherein incumbents are charged with conducting inspections in the less complicated phases of building construction and plan review.
Building Inspector II
This is the journey level position in the Building Inspector series. The Building Inspector II is responsible for enforcement of codes, ordinances and approval conditions applicable to building construction, alterations and zoning, and interacts extensively with the public. The Building Inspector II works independently in the field, and is responsible for decisions requiring technical judgment and expertise. This position reports to the Building Official or designated appointee.
The Building Inspector II position is distinguished from the Building Inspector I position due to the higher level of experience and knowledge in the field of building inspection. Promotional appointees shall serve a 1-year probation period. This is a generalist class wherein incumbents are charged with conducting inspections in the more complicated phases of building construction and plan review.
Essential Duties
Building Inspector I
- Inspects buildings and structures in various stages of progress using approved plans and codes to determine conformance.
- Discusses conformance problems with contractors and permit holders and assists them by indicating needed changes and possible modifications to bring the construction into conformity.
- Issues Stop Work Notices in situations where work is performed without benefit of a permit.
- Follows a predetermined schedule of inspections in an assigned area and prepares reports of inspections made. Schedules and coordinates field operations at request of Building Official.
- Maintains records of inspections made and actions taken.
- Prepares reports of deficiencies with respect to structural stability, sanitation, electrical, adequacy of heating and ventilating facilities, their use, and occupancy. Submits reports to the Building Official for review.
- Accepts completed permit applications for review.
- Logs applications and updates information in the Building Department computer system.
- Reviews residential and less complicated commercial plans for conformance to adopted codes.
- Prepares plan check comments and correspondence with applicants. Prepares permit fees and issues permits as directed.
- Responds to questions and information requests from the public regarding building codes, and status of applications or permits.
- Receives and investigates building complaints from the public.
- Investigates NPDES complaints from the public or staff as directed and prepares reports and posts necessary notices as directed by the Building Official.
- Maintains the designated permitting software selected by the City. Suggests improvements to the overall efficiency of the system. Relays the use of the system to other members of the Building Division staff and assists them in its use.
Building Inspector II
- Inspects buildings in a thorough manner, detecting errors and deviations from approved plans. Ensures compliance with codes and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos. Resolves problems in the field in a timely and friendly manner.
- Checks to ensure the quality of building materials and methods used in construction, or alterations, are in conformance with codes and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos.
- Ensures construction or alteration of buildings is performed safely in accordance with approved plans and specifications.
- Provides useful and helpful information to builders and others regarding Federal, State, and local construction requirements, and may assist the Building Official in training of other inspectors.
- Checks building sites to ensure proper building permits have been obtained for the work performed, and takes appropriate action to correct violations if necessary.
- Issues correction notices for code violations and recommends action to the Building Official if corrections are not made.
- Makes and keeps accurate logs and records regarding building inspections, violation notices, investigations, and related information. Ensures the logs and records are up-to-date, legible, complete, and descriptive of the problems encountered and how they were resolved.
- Maintains a current, thorough working knowledge of relevant building codes and standards, and is able to correctly interpret and apply them. Studies new materials and methods of building construction to keep abreast of changing technology in the building construction industry.
- Recommends issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to the Building Official after conducting a final inspection of completed work and approval of structures and installations.
- Anticipates construction problems, and consistently takes steps to minimize the amount of corrective work needed by communicating with the applicant or contractor.
- Uses work time efficiently. Keeps up with assigned inspections and is prompt for inspection appointments. Notifies builder or home-owner if late for scheduled appointments. Consistently completes a reasonable number of inspections in relation to work time available. Schedules and coordinates field operations at request of Building Official.
- Reads and understands approved building plans. Effectively interprets plans while conducting field inspections required for the project.
- Checks and analyzes building construction plans in a timely manner to ensure compliance with applicable codes and policies. Identifies needed corrections and issues correction notices clearly explaining items to be addressed.
- Ensures deficiencies identified in plans are corrected prior to permit issuance.
- Maintains up-to-date, accurate commentaries of plan errors, and assists with permits and applications at the service counter.
The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the City.
Final filing date: Before 5:00pm, Friday, October 31, 2025
Tentative 1st Interview Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Tentative 2nd Interview Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Resume will not be accepted in lieu of application. Application, including all work history, must be fully completed if a resume is attached. Incomplete and/or inaccurate applications may result in disqualification from the recruitment process. All communication regarding your status in this recruitment process will be conducted via email or postal mail. Be sure to include a valid e-mail address on the employment application. It is suggested that you add sancarlos@calopps.org and hr@cityofsancarlos.org to your e-mail contacts or safe senders list to help ensure that you receive our e-mails. Applicants are responsible for notifying Human Resources of any changes to contact information.
Appointment to this position is contingent upon:
*Reference Check
*A pre-employment fingerprinting criminal history records check
*Employment and education verification
Hourly Salary Range:
Building Inspector I: $52.11 - $63.34
Building Inspector II: $56.99 - $69.27
Ideal Candidate
Job-Related and Essential Qualifications
Building Inspector I
Knowledge of building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes and the ordinances enforced by the City of San Carlos; Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of building inspection, building materials, and construction tools; Knowledge of accepted safety standards and modern methods of building construction. Computer proficiency is required.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain, and foster cooperative working relations with all constituents, including co-workers, in the course of work.
Building Inspector II
Knowledge of building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes and the ordinances enforced by the City of San Carlos; Knowledge of principles, practices and techniques of combination inspection; Knowledge of building materials, construction tools, accepted safety standards, and modern methods of building construction.
Ability and skills to read and interpret building plans, diagrams, specifications and building codes. Detect poor workmanship, inferior materials, hazards from fire or collapse, and deviations from plans. Ability to recognize workplace safety hazards and necessary corrective action. With firmness and tact, enforce laws, codes and regulations as adopted by the City of San Carlos. Schedule and coordinate own workload and work independently. Maintain accurate and complete records. Analyze facts and exercise good independent judgment. Learn, retain, interpret and use technical knowledge related to changes in Federal, State and local laws related to building. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish, maintain, and foster cooperative working relations with all constituents, including co-workers, in the course of work.
Education and Training
Building Inspector I
Possession of a high school diploma, G.E.D. equivalency, or a high school proficiency certificate is required. Two years of experience in the building construction field as a licensed contractor, journey level carpenter, electrician, plumber or equivalent experience; or two years inspection experience with a municipal building department with at least one year experience above the trainee level. Possession of an Associate Science / Arts Degree with a major in construction and building inspection may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
Building Inspector II
Graduation from high school, and any combination of training or experience equivalent to engineering, architectural, or building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspection; or four years of journey level experience in the building trades; or four years as a building construction contractor performing a wide variety of work in the building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical fields.
Special Requirements
Speak clearly and understandably. Ability to read and hear voices and telephones. Visual acuity to quickly and accurately review and interpret plans and diagrams and make inspections. Ability to inspect construction sites requiring physical flexibility and dexterity, including the ability to continually stand, bend, stoop, reach, crouch and climb. Normal color vision required.
Licenses and Certifications
Building Inspector I
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license with a satisfactory driving record. International Code Council (ICC) Building Inspector certification required within the first year of employment.
Building Inspector I position may expect advancement to Building Inspector II position upon completion of 2 years with the City of San Carlos as a Building Inspector I; and performance evaluation ratings of satisfactory or above; and ICC certification as a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Inspector, or equivalent; and upon recommendation by Building Official.
Building Inspector II
Possession of minimum Class C California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Inspector, or equivalent, is required.
Benefits
*PERS Retirement: 2% @ 55 for "classic members" or 2% @ 62 for "new members" as defined by CalPERS
*The City of San Carlos participates in Social Security
*Employee & family medical insurance and dental reimbursement plan; vision insurance
*City-paid $200,000 basic life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance
*Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan 457(b); City matches employee's contribution up to $225/month
*Flexible Spending Plans (Medical and Dependent Care, Commuter Benefits)
*Employee Assistance Program
*12 – 25 vacation days/year; 12 sick days/year, 11 paid holidays/year, up to 40 hours float leave/year
Special Instructions
Supplemental Questionnaire Required
Copying and pasting resume or attaching a resume cannot be substituted for completing the "Work Experience" section of application. Please list each job in the "work experience" section. Click "+ Add another item" to add space for each work history. Failure to complete this section may be considered an incomplete application.